Baselworld this way

Baselworld expected to welcome over 150,000 as the world's leading watch fair gets under way in Switzerland

The 42nd Baselworld is expected to be the biggest yet, with over 150,000 visitors anticipated at Messe Basel from March 27 to April 3. In particular, visitor numbers from the Far East have been rising steadily for a number of years as there is continuing demand for luxury goods in Hong Kong and China.

Chinese consumers now account for 30 per cent of total interest in high-end luxury watches, despite lower reported sales on the mainland, according to recent figures released by the Digital Luxury Group's WorldWatchReport. In the six weeks leading up to this year’s show, Messe Basel became one of Switzerland’s largest construction projects, requiring sophisticated logistics.

Around 7,000 lorries from all over Europe transported tens of thousands of tonnes of material to the city; each truck called in via radio from waiting points outside Basel, followed a predetermined route to the site and was unloaded to a strict minute-by-minute schedule.

Then 20,000 workers – electricians, plumbers, architects, engineers – set about constructing the stands and transforming the MCH Group’s exhibition halls into the world’s most important watch and jewellery show. Internationally, Baselworld is a key trend barometer for the industry, with an estimated 80 per cent of global watch and jewellery sales generated at the event, say the fair organisers.

Design trends predicted by the Swiss Exhibitors’ Committee this year include a continuing emphasis on pink gold and steel, and power reserves with increasingly high performance; chronographs, astronomic complications and tourbillons also feature heavily.

If you can’t make it to the annual Swiss fair, you can still download free Baselworld apps, including a show guide and brand book to enjoy a virtual tour of the 30km of aisles and keep up to date with events throughout the week.

Read more news and features from Baselworld in the Telegraph Time supplement in The Telegraph on Saturday 29th March